Brightstar

Pros

• Alexis is consistently on time, upbeat, and helps with everything, including ensuring grocery orders arrive on time.
• Alexis goes above and beyond to provide thorough support and companionship.
• Alexis helps organize orders, locate misplaced items, and handle returns for double orders.
• The interaction with Kelly involves engaging mom in crafts with laughter, and Kelly checks in at the start of each visit.
• The BrightStar staff are responsive, easy to work with, and highly regarded.
• BrightStar caregivers are competent, professional, skilled, personable, and passionate about their jobs.
• The overall BrightStar experience is outstanding and highly recommended.
• Karen, Gina, Stephanie, Rebecca, and the rest of the team are experienced, kind, and professional, building strong rapport with families.
• Pamela is a great help, and Coral is exceptional, knowledgeable, caring, and friendly.
• BrightStar employees - especially Rebecca and Madison - anticipate needs and make difficult situations easier to manage.
• BrightStar is a true partner in care, collaborating with families and adapting plans as needs change.
• The staff are professional, efficient, and compassionate, bringing peace of mind to families.

Cons

• Lawrence arrived late consistently and failed to complete basic tasks (showering, laundry, cleaning, exercising, bathroom care).
• He was described as slacking and not much of anything getting done.
• On Valentine's Day, Lawrence left the father unsupervised to shower, contributing to a fall.
• The fall required three family members to lift the father, indicating poor supervision.
• In another incident, the father urinated on the floor; Lawrence cleaned it with a towel and told the family to mop, which was not acceptable.
• Lawrence spent only about 30 minutes helping with the shower and did not perform other duties.
• The VA stopped services, citing Lawrence's claim that the home was unsanitary, a claim the family disputes; this reflects negatively on the caregiver's credibility.
• The company was criticized for poor communication and a lack of proactive support, described as not being helpful.

Review

BrightStar Care has left a memorable impression on a wide range of families, with stories that highlight the personal warmth, reliability, and thoughtful support their caregivers bring to day-to-day life. One recurring thread is the dependable presence of Alexis, described as a caregiver who is always on time, in a good mood, and ready to help with anything a client needs. In addition to practical tasks like ensuring grocery orders arrive on time, Alexis makes mornings more enjoyable by watching game shows together and sharing light moments. She also helps organize and locate items the client orders, assists with returning packages when there's a double order, and consistently goes above and beyond to ensure everything is taken care of. The reviewer emphasizes not just the routine care but the sense of companionship that Alexis provides during the two days a week she is present, underscoring how this consistency and willingness to engage can make a meaningful difference in daily life.

Another reviewer centers on Kelly, who brings energy, engagement, and a collaborative spirit to the care routine. Kelly actively includes mom in crafts, generating a lively atmosphere filled with chatter and laughter as they work together. She invites mom to teach her decorating techniques for bags, demonstrating a respectful approach that meets mom where she is at emotionally and developmentally. The reviewer notes Kelly's reliability, open communication at the start of each visit, and responsiveness of the BrightStar staff in general, describing the overall experience as very good. This testimonial highlights how care providers can support meaningful hobbies and social interaction, not just practical assistance.

A common sentiment across several reviews is that BrightStar Care stands out after experiences with other agencies. One person describes switching after trying four different agencies and finding BrightStar to be a remarkable difference. The caregiver team at BrightStar is depicted as competent, professional, skilled, personable, and passionate about their jobs. The reviewer expresses strong loyalty, saying they would not use any other agency again, which speaks to the perceived quality and alignment with the family's needs.

Another set of testimonials centers onKaren (the owner), Gina (Director of Nursing), and Stephanie (Customer Service Manager), along with caregivers like Rebecca. The experience is described as "off the charts good," from the initial meeting through the ongoing care of a spouse. Rebecca is highlighted as a caregiver who brings experience, kindness, and professionalism, helping to establish a strong rapport with the client's spouse. The family appreciates the thoroughness of the initial engagement and the care team's ability to maintain that level of warmth and competence as needs evolved, illustrating BrightStar's capacity to form a trusted, enduring caregiver relationship.

A separate household notes that all of the dad's caregivers have been great, naming Nikki, Rebecca, Melissa, and Jessica as wonderful and capable with the client and his needs. The staff is also praised for being accommodating when scheduling changes are necessary, showing flexibility and coordination with the family. This review reinforces the impression that BrightStar's local office teams can adapt to shifting care plans while maintaining high standards of personal care.

Amid the overwhelmingly positive feedback, there is also a detailed, critical account involving a veteran's family and a caregiver named Lawrence. The reviewer describes a decline in service quality and punctuality, with Lawrence arriving late multiple times and performing far fewer tasks than expected, including shower assistance, laundry, and bathroom cleaning. A Valentine's Day incident is described in which the father was not assisted as planned, resulting in a fall that required family members to intervene. The reviewer provides a meticulous timeline of events, including a claim that Lawrence left the home unsupervised during a shower and the resulting safety concerns. There are further complaints about unsanitary conditions and miscommunications with the company, as well as a decision from the VA to discontinue service through BrightStar based on these concerns. The family expresses strong frustration, asserting that their home was not dirty and that the caregiver's statements did not reflect reality, while noting that oversight and communication from the company were lacking. The overarching message is a call for better supervision and clearer information when issues arise, especially in the care of a veteran.

Despite this negative experience, other reviews acknowledge positive, ongoing support, naming Pamela and Coral as exceptional and knowledgeable, caring, and friendly. The broader message across multiple testimonials remains one of gratitude for BrightStar employees who anticipate needs and provide a steady, supportive presence. Rebecca and Madison are singled out as particularly helpful, with compliments about their responsiveness and the ease with which they accommodate changes in plans. The collective sentiment is that BrightStar Care staff are generally wonderful to work with, and they bring a sense of reassurance during a challenging period.

A particularly moving and extended set of reflections focuses on long-term care relationships built around two aging parents. The reviewer describes a four-year span of BrightStar care, with Karen and Gina meeting initially and bringing together a team that could adapt as medical and daily living needs shifted. They emphasize a true partnership, with a collaborative approach that includes coordination with assisted living facilities and hospice services. The team is praised for navigating dementia and other health issues, supporting the transition from independence to more extensive assistance, and, eventually, providing end-of-life care with compassion. The caregivers became like family to the client and their family, offering companionship and reliable daily support even when family members could not be present. The gratitude extends to many BrightStar staff members by name - Gina, Stephanie, Rita, Ruth, Erica, Bobbi, Kyra, Gorety, Caitlin, and Jordan - who are thanked for going above and beyond. The loss of both parents is acknowledged with heartfelt sorrow, and the family expresses lasting appreciation for BrightStar's role in their parents' lives and in their own peace of mind.

Across these varied experiences, the common thread is BrightStar Care's ability to provide dependable assistance, compassionate companionship, and flexible, client-focused care. The reviews collectively celebrate caregivers who show up ready to help, who engage with clients on personal levels, and who collaborate with families to keep care plans aligned with changing needs. While there are concerns raised about specific interactions and occasions where expectations were not met, the overall impression is of a care partner that families trust and value for the profound impact their dedicated teams have on daily living, dignity, and well-being.

Lake in the Hills, Illinois is a vibrant and convenient location for seniors looking to settle down. With a variety of restaurants such as Lou Malnati's Pizzeria and Antigua within close proximity, you can enjoy delicious meals without having to travel far. The area also boasts several parks like Sunset Park and Lippold Park where you can take leisurely strolls or relax outdoors. For medical needs, there are several pharmacies and physicians nearby, including OrthoIllinois and Children's Medical Group for specialized care. Additionally, transportation options like Metra are easily accessible for those who may not drive. Overall, Lake in the Hills offers a mix of amenities that cater to seniors seeking comfort and convenience in their daily lives.

Restaurants

• Lou Malnati's Pizzeria (0.5 miles)
• Antigua (2.3 miles)
• Fire Bar & Grill (2.4 miles)
• Pub 47 Grill (2.7 miles)
• Papa G's (2.8 miles)
• Taco Bell (2.9 miles)
• Huntley Dairy Mart (3 miles)

Parks

• Sunset Park (0.7 miles)
• Four Colonies Park (1.7 miles)
• Lippold Park (3.2 miles)
• Spella Park (3.3 miles)
• Barbara Key Park (3.6 miles)
• Deicke Park (3.7 miles)
• Larsen Park (3.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)

Physicians

• Chung S. Rim, MD (1.8 miles)
• Amir J. Heydari, MD (1.8 miles)
• OrthoIllinois (2.7 miles)
• Simpson Eye Associates (2.8 miles)
• Northwest Pediatric Neurology (2.8 miles)
• Huntley Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (3.7 miles)
• Children's Medical Group (3.9 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.3 miles)
• Starbucks (2.8 miles)
• Daily Projects (3 miles)
• Panera Bread (3.3 miles)
• Starbucks (3.6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Sherman Hospital Immediate Care (3.3 miles)
• Vitalant Blood Donation- Crystal Lake (4.7 miles)
• Centegra Memorial Medical Center (5.2 miles)
• Centegra Health System (5.2 miles)
• Centegra Hospital (5.2 miles)
• Memorial Emergency Medical Center (5.2 miles)

Transportation

• Metra (4.5 miles)